Guinness Award For Shaun Payne

Munster full back Shaun Payne received a boost to his preparations for the Celtic Cup final when he was named the Guinness Draught Can Celtic League Player of the Month for April.

Munster full back Shaun Payne received a boost to his preparations for the Celtic Cup final when he was named the Guinness Draught Can Celtic League Player of the Month for April.

The Munster No. 15 has put in outstanding performances for his province in the closing stages of the League and also the Celtic Cup knock out phase not least when dispatching local rivals Leinster at Lansdowne Road last Sunday.

Payne hopes to line out again at Lansdowne Road on Saturday to face Llanelli Scarlets in the Celtic Cup decider. Buoyed by their dramatic victory over Leinster in the Semi Final, Munster will be attempting to finish the season with a flourish in what will be Alan Gaffney's last game in charge.

Ronan Beirne, Guinness Brand Manager said, "Congratulations to Shaun on picking up the last Guinness Draught Can award for this season. His form of late has been outstanding for Munster. Shaun Payne joins a list of truly top class rugby players that have been honoured over the Celtic League campaign for 2004/05 and I hope this award is a welcome boost for him in the run up to the Celtic Cup final showdown at Lansdowne Road on Saturday."